Williamnagar, Feb 10: The newly constructed Mater Dei Parish Church at Dawagre was formally inaugurated on Tuesday by the Right Reverend Bishop Andrew R. Marak, Bishop of Tura, in the presence of Cabinet Minister and local MLA Marcuise N. Marak, SJ Provincial Rev. Fr. Valerian D. Castelino, local MDC Alphonsush R. Marak, and other dignitaries.
A large number of priests, religious sisters, invited guests, benefactors, and parishioners from Dawagre and nearby areas attended the ceremony, marking an important moment for the parish community.
Mater Dei Parish was entrusted to the Jesuit Congregation in March 2005, with Rev. Fr. Phillip Abraham, SJ, appointed as the first Parish Priest on June 5, 2005. Since then, parish activities and Holy Mass had been conducted at the Loyola School Hall as the community waited for the construction of a permanent church building.
Bishop Andrew R. Marak presided over the inauguration and blessing of the new church and, in his homily, reminded the faithful that a church is a sacred place of prayer. He called on the congregation to enter the church with reverence and to maintain peace and unity within the community.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, a short cultural and felicitation programme was held. Rev. Fr. Victor D’Melo, Principal of Loyola School, delivered the welcome address, while members of the Marian and St. Joseph Sodality presented a welcome song. Donors and individuals who contributed to the construction of the church were felicitated, and children of Olive Garden presented a dance performance.
SJ Provincial Rev. Fr. Valerian D. Castelino, in his address, thanked the parish community, donors, and all those who contributed to the construction of the church, stating that the new building stands as a symbol of the collective effort and commitment of the faithful. He also acknowledged the contributions of Manuel M. Sangma, Honey G. Marak, and others who assisted in preparing the site where the church now stands.
The inauguration of the new church marks the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the Mater Dei Parish community, which had been waiting nearly two decades for its own church building.
